SPA-oritize Your Home Bath

We all dream of having a luxurious bath (consider the one pictured above, by Abraham Teiger Architects, or the bath below-right belonging to actress Hilary Swank). But luxury is hard to resist—especially in the bath, where space, light, storage and spa-like amenities are coveted.

The footprint of every bathroom is pretty much fixed; the plumbing lines for the toilet, sink, tub and shower are set in place and the room dimensions are finite. Even modest remodeling and/or expansion can be a costly endeavor.

Photo courtesy: Elle Decor

How expensive? According to Remodeling magazine’s 2010-2011 Cost vs. Value Report, the national average for a bath remodel is roughly $16,634. And while it’s true that even a mid-range bath remodel can result in a 70% return on investment (higher in certain cities), the initial investment sill needs to be made… by you.

If you have a limited home improvement budget and a modest bathroom, don’t despair. There are numerous upgrades you can make to beautify your existing bath and even add spa-like features. Check out our SPA-oritize Your Home Bath slideshow for 15 easy, construction-free and low-cost solutions.

For more on bath remodeling, consider the following Bob Vila articles, slideshows, and videos: